Campaign for Southern Equality
Monday numbers: Coming of age LGBTQ in the South
As LGBTQ Pride month approaches, the community continues to face an onslaught of violence, censorship and harmful legislation. Even major corporations are facing conservative boycotts and terrorist threats for the sort of support for LGBTQ equality efforts in which they have engaged for years. In North Carolina, bills have been filed this legislative session that […]
Buncombe County passes first LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance in Western NC
The Buncombe County Commission unanimously passed a LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance Tuesday night, becoming the 7th local government to do so since a statewide moratorium on such protections was lifted late last year. Similar ordinances have passed in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, and Hillsborough, as well as Orange County. “As a lifelong Buncombe County resident, I […]
Democratic lawmakers file raft of LGBTQ equality bills
Democratic lawmakers in the state House and Senate filed four bills Tuesday that would provide protections and equality for LGBTQ North Carolinians. “It’s no secret that North Carolina has a difficult history when it comes to LBTQ+ rights,” said Rep. Vernetta Alston (D-Durham), at a virtual press conference Tuesday. “But we’re here to change that.” […]
Local governments cautious, deliberate as they craft non-discrimination ordinances
Elected officials joined LGBTQ advocates Wednesday night for a virtual seminar as cities, towns and counties continue to craft new local non-discrimination ordinances. In December a state ban on new local protections — including nondiscrimination ordinances for employment and housing — was lifted. The ban was a legacy of the brutal fight over HB 2 […]
As Equality Act passes in U.S. House, state LGBTQ advocates continue push for local protections as well
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act Thursday, an essential first hurdle to new LGBTQ protections under existing federal civil rights laws on housing, public access, education and federally funded programs. But as the legislation now heads to the Senate, LGBTQ advocates in North Carolina say the push for local non-discrimination ordinances must […]
Hillsborough passes first LGBTQ protections since HB2/HB142
The town of Hillsborough passed an LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance Monday, becoming the first municipality to do so since a three year state ban on such ordinances expired last month. The ban on local non-discrimination ordinances was the legacy of 2016’s brutal fight over HB2, the controversial law that excluded lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from […]
U.S. Supreme Court: Employers can’t discriminate against gay, transgender employees
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this morning that existing federal laws prohibit employers from job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, a resounding win for LGBTQ advocates from the conservative-leaning bench. Justice Neil Gorsuch, a President Donald Trump appointee, wrote the opinion with Justices John Roberts, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and […]
Campaign for Southern Equality offers new round of COVID-19 response grants
This week the Campaign for Southern Equality is reopening applications for its COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant Program, making available $125,000 in grants for the immediate needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender southerners who are experiencing hardships due to the pandemic. This round of grant making, applications for which open Thursday, will bring the total funding made […]
LGBTQ Pride declarations, celebrations spreading to smaller towns in NC
This week Gov. Roy Cooper officially declared June Pride Month — an important acknowledgement for LGBTQ North Carolinians. But LGBTQ advocates are also celebrating declarations in smaller communities in North Carolina — a sign of support for marginalized communities outside of the state’s largest cities. On Thursday night the Hendersonville City Council proclaimed that June […]